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One of Us |
As best I can tell Blair is stating he does not sell hunting trips. He actually sells lottery tickets for hunts and if its your lucky day you actually get to go hunting. As best I can tell there is absolutely no reason to ever use Blairs "services". At best he is a legal money skimmer. He does not redistribute any risk to actually protect his clientel and he obviously does not posess intelectual properties to reduce such risk. It could be accurately said that if a hunter just wanted to try his luck and book with anyone else but Blair, his odds would be no different. However the fact that would be different is if he got absolutely screwed by any random outfitter at least he would be several thousand dollars better off because he didn't give any money to Blair. | |||
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My understanding is that the clients are upset with Blair because he has kept the commission money. Blair did not address this in his post. I think what Blair has stated is basically the same as goes with the majority of booking agents. But, ethically, and probably legaly, he has to return to the client ANY money he made from that sale. Once he has done that, then the ball is in the Heathington's lap and he has to deal with it. And if Heathington was unable to conduct the hunt, there really is no excuse but to return all the money to the client. Very simple business ethics. | |||
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Blair World Wide, I understand that for whatever reason you feel you have no obligation to you ex-client. I am sure you have a good enough lawyer that your contracts are drwn up in such a way as to obsolve you of any legal responsibility. Your kind usually does. What about ehtical or moral responsibility? What if anything have you done to help your client to try and recover their loss? Have you done anything at all to try and make this right? Yes the client should have gotten trip insurance. Did you as a "knowledgable booking agent" even suggest it to them? Did you offer to refund at least your portion of proft on this hunt? I find it odd that your website makes it sound like you handle all the details and problems and that the clients have nothing to worry about. You have proven that is not the case at all. Just what the hell are you getting paid for and why would a client even need or want to use you? I think that what little reputation you had has been self destructed by your actions and attitudes in this matter. I hope you feel that 10 k was worth destroying your business for. In the end it will be up to a court to decide who knew and did what when. I have stated before that you appear to have a pattern of problems and in my mind that shows intent. Either way your reputation will never recover from this. Happiness is a warm gun | |||
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The internet is a very powerful tool. An avenue for unsolicited emails, and a way to take a business down overnight. Mike NEVER BOOK A HUNT WITH JEFF BLAIR AT BLAIR WORLDWIDE HUNTING! | |||
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____________________________________________ "Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life." Terry Pratchett. | |||
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I wonder if DSC, HSC, and SCI would be interested in BWW's business philosophy? ____________________________________________ "Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life." Terry Pratchett. | |||
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If they paid the money directly to Blair, even though he forwarded the money onto Heathington, would not Blair still be on the hook for all the money? I am not a lawyer, just curious. Good Hunting, | |||
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It's really this simple: If Blair is an agent (or claims to be an agent), then he is a fiduciary that, by law, places his client's interests above his own. As an agent, he is obligated to return to the client the benefit that he obtained in the transaction. Think of what other commission based agents and other fiduciaries do: Does a real estate agent get a commission when the sale falls through? No. Does a sport agent get a commission when the team does not sign his client? No. Does an injury lawyer on a contingent fee contract get a fee when he loses the case? No. Do accountants and lawyers get to keep unearned retainers or client money in trust accounts? No. This is really simple. Blair's customers may be holding the bag for the part of the hunt money that went to Heathington, but the portion that Blair - a supposed agent (a fiduciary) kept - is Blair's responsibility to repay, period. Blair, can you really tell us with a straight face that Heathington owes your customers $70,000? Surely not. He owes them whatever amount of $70,000 you paid him and you owe your customers whatever portion of $70,000 that you kept. Nothing else even comes close to making sense. Will J. Parks, III | |||
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I find it surprising that he values his reputation so little. As a service provider he really doesn't have much of anything else. | |||
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I just cannot understand the logic behind a business model such as what Blair appears to adhere to, based on all of this. Super aggressive marketing, cold-calling, hard-core selling – all in an effort to get new customers. Customers that if treated well, would continue to book hunts for decades to come. The cost of booking an existing customer (client) on his next adventure is far less than acquiring a new customer. Not to mention the satisfaction for me at least that is derived from dealing with the same person/company over a long period of time….among other things it is the ultimate testament of a company’s loyalty and total commitment to customer service. Blair certainly has the product offerings to keep a happy customer coming back for more. Most all businesses need an injection of new blood, but Blair’s business model appears to be in need of a perpetual transfusion. Based on reading these posts as to how an existing and by all accounts desirable customer was treated, I personally can only surmise that this is because they have a comparatively low retention rate due to poor customer service. I was cautious of Blair due to their aggressive marketing before this (quality agencies have to market of course, but at a certain point the warning flags go up), and now most certainly will NEVER consider doing business with them. As was pointed out somewhere, on a thread like this, inevitably somebody crawls out of the woodwork to stand up for the company/individual in question. I would not be shocked if a “new member” were to magically appear….but what is noticeably absent is an existing forum member posting any history with Blair Worldwide Hunting. So either they are afraid (embarrassed?) to post their experience for whatever reason, or the more-experienced-than-most members on AR have already successfully avoided booking with Blair. | |||
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I believe Will has got it right. ...I say that hunters go into Paradise when they die, and live in this world more joyfully than any other men. -Edward, duke of York ". . . when a man has shot an elephant his life is full." ~John Alfred Jordan "The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." Cicero - 55 BC "The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." - Ayn Rand Cogito ergo venor- KPete “It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own self-interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but of their advantages.” ― Adam Smith - “Wealth of Nations” | |||
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What Will said , in spades. This gives honest , actual agents a black eye if painted with too broad a brush. Talk about blowing your own foot off ! Dave Fulson | |||
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Kind of a hunting version of Bernie Madoff.... ~Ann | |||
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+1 Well said, Will. This is a perfectly reasoned distillation of what is the essence of this issue. My suspicion is that Blair has no long-term interest in staying in business, otherwise this form of business suicide would be as inexplicable as it would be stupid. Regardless of their business motivation, I don't expect we'll see Blair operating for very long. With the advent of the internet and Google, ethically bankrupt companies have a difficult time surviving. Kim Merkel Double .470 NE Whitworth Express .375 H&H Griffin & Howe .275 Rigby Winchester M70 (pre-64) .30-06 & .270 "Cogito ergo venor" René Descartes on African Safari | |||
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I would go futher than where Will goes. In the real estate example there is a closing and no one gets paid unless title transfers. Not the agent and not the owner. Here a booking agent is like a retailer or middleman in the chain of sales.All the money goes to the retailer/booking agent who pays the operator or one who is responsible for the performance of the hunt. The relationship chain is hunter with agent and agent with operator. The money goes all to agent, he gets his cut and the bulk goes to operator. If the agent picks a bad operator it is his responsibility to make whole his client. Now he has the right to get it all back from the operator but the client should be able to look to the agent first and let the agent sort the operator at his expense. When you buy a car that has a problem you don't take it to GM in Detroit to fix, you take it to the dealer. I am curious how other agents here treat their clients? Do they(clients) get their dough back from you and you are left sorting the operator? I would hope so since you are the one selling the hunt to the client and but for your relationship with the operator they wouldn't be in the situation. Kalahari Lion (Bots 07) | |||
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Simply put, Blair didn't earn the money. He shouldn't keep it. The man has no code. Right and wrong in this instance is black and white. | |||
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Why dont the brothers Henriksen take out a life insurance policy on Mr Heathington for the value owed them plus costs. It sounds as if they have a insurable interest? If his failing health doesnt get him, his business practices sure will, before long. | |||
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I have read this thread here and on 24hcf with amazement. In my simple mind I can not grasp any legal way that the person the money is paid to isn't responsible for it. I somehow thought the point of using an agent was the money would be held in an escrow until the services were rendered. It appears that unless someone closely follows AR they have no way of knowing who is the good ones and who are the bad ones, and then only after someone here gets burned. Maybe the good agents are just better at picking outfitters. If the legalities are as being claimed using any agent is risky. More and more I like putting up a small deposit and holding the balance myself. Is there a professional association for booking agents? DSC Life Member NRA Life Member | |||
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"Is there a professional association for booking agents?" It's called the American Association of International Professional Hunting and Fishing Consultants. It advertises regularly in Safari magazine and has strict criteria for membership. It has been around a long time, but had only about a dozen members the last time I saw its membership list. Bill Quimby | |||
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Gents: I can't think of a more perfect example of the biblical letter of the law vs. the spirit of the law. I have listened to a former PH friend use the expression, "We never had it in writing" when trying to rationalize his business practices. Oh, how I wish to return to the days when business transactions were done on a hand shake. Regardless of legalities Blair is dead wrong and "men" of his ethics should be avoided at DSC and SCI, the net, and everywhere else. Cheers, Cal _______________________________ Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska www.CalPappas.com www.CalPappas.blogspot.com 1994 Zimbabwe 1997 Zimbabwe 1998 Zimbabwe 1999 Zimbabwe 1999 Namibia, Botswana, Zambia--vacation 2000 Australia 2002 South Africa 2003 South Africa 2003 Zimbabwe 2005 South Africa 2005 Zimbabwe 2006 Tanzania 2006 Zimbabwe--vacation 2007 Zimbabwe--vacation 2008 Zimbabwe 2012 Australia 2013 South Africa 2013 Zimbabwe 2013 Australia 2016 Zimbabwe 2017 Zimbabwe 2018 South Africa 2018 Zimbabwe--vacation 2019 South Africa 2019 Botswana 2019 Zimbabwe vacation 2021 South Africa 2021 South Africa (2nd hunt a month later) ______________________________ | |||
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+1 | |||
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Anyone know if Mr. Blair is attending the show circuit? It's going to be fun to watch "You only gotta do one thing well to make it in this world" - J Joplin | |||
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I know he is at sci in reno for the last few years | |||
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Three thoughts from a guy who is in the business. (1) CONTRACT !!! (2) Top outfits use Top agents..Period. (3) Top agents do not book for rogue outfitters. Dave Fulson | |||
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I agree with #2 & #3. Number one is not always true. If a guy wants to F-you, he will.Take him to court and you will end up with a judgement. If you need some judgements, i have some you can take to your bank. They sure did not do me any good. Best to check the references, and then check some more. | |||
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I think a contract is a good idea. At least both sides know what they are agreeing to, even if it isn't enforceable in court. | |||
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Usually, no. But sometimes, yes. In some markets, it is (or was, before the meltdown) not unusual for a broker to take a non-refundable deposit against future commissions earned. The listing agreement (or less often, the buyer agency agreement) would specify that X dollars was to be paid to the broker and not refunded if the property did not sell. If it did sell, the prepaid funds would be deducted from the total commission due. If it is agreed to in writing by all parties, and not a violation of law, it is an acceptable practice. As a broker, I used this arrangement when a seller wanted to list high at a discounted commission, or wanted extensive advertising on a property that was not a sure sale. Mostly, though, I used it to dissuade low commissions or unreasonable marketing demands. Bottom line: it all depends on what the contract--real estate contract or booking agent contract or whatever--says. LTC, USA, RET Benefactor Life Member, NRA Member, SCI & DSC Proud son of Texas A&M, Class of 1969 "A man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?" Robert Browning | |||
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I don't think that was Blair Worldwide responding as much as some schmuck lawyer wannabe. This statement given shows a real lack of any concern about the client/hunter and all about trying to point fingers. Heathington's excuse was flimsy at best and highly suspect. I plan to forward this and other threads concerning this incident to several other websites. I'll let the readers of these websites make their own judgements as to whether they'd like to book with BWW. My guess is BWW's business will erode and erode quickly. I'd further bet that they have received more than one phone call from already engaged clients trying to get their money back. Lastly, I don't see BWW having the BALLS to show up at another SCI or other major convention. | |||
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the quicker they are out of business, the better. Vote Trump- Putin’s best friend… To quote a former AND CURRENT Trumpiteer - DUMP TRUMP | |||
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Those of you that are recieving these cold calls should get your numbers put on the do not call registry. I would then notify Blair in writting to remove you from their call list. From that point forward they are bound by law not to call you and if they do it is a federal crime and the fine is something like $250k per call. In my opinion this dirtbag should be run out of business and end up on the streets homeless. NRA Life Memebr | |||
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They called yesterday, I had told my sec. I would not talk with and if they ask why I told her to tell them "the brothers", she did and she said they just hung up. | |||
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Mr. Blair, Care to explain this? "... determined by Lonnie Henriksen that he would hunt desert bighorn sheep... with Sheep LTD". Lonnie Henriksen had no idea the hunt was booked by his sons. It was a surprise Christmas present, you lying moron. There are holes in your story big enough for a herd of elephants. "You only gotta do one thing well to make it in this world" - J Joplin | |||
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New member---I just became a member in order to tell everyone that the link to this website and the 9 page thread involving BWH is on monstermuleys.com and the guys are pissed!!! Great site guys and the word is definitely getting around on these scumbags!!! | |||
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Jack: Damn good point. Topgun: Are you saying that Blair is pissed? I hope so. Can you give us any details? Thanks. | |||
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My thoughts too Jack. Dave Fulson | |||
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Stragne stuff. I'd think the booking agent would be going to bat for the customer as they have the direct line to the outfitter. Something ain't quite right about this. JW | |||
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Can anyone explain exactly how they are getting our phone numbers? I am pretty darn careful with that info and they got mine. If it is through a conservation charitable selling my number I want to know and take appropriate action. | |||
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Welcome, and don't be a stranger. Jim "Bwana Umfundi" NRA | |||
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Will try to get on here a couple times a day. The members on the site I mentioned are pissed when they read your threads here and several, along with myself, will probably be contributing to your possible defense fund, if needed, in any court case that is brought against either of these crooks! | |||
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Hunting-Washington.com has a thread on this! NRA Life Member Gun Control - A theory espoused by some monumentally stupid people; who claim to believe, against all logic and common sense, that a violent predator who ignores the laws prohibiting them from robbing, raping, kidnapping, torturing and killing their fellow human beings will obey a law telling them that they cannot own a gun. | |||
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